The Queen, The Governor General And The Plot To Dismiss Gough Whitlam

On November 11, 1975, Sir John Kerr, the Governor-General of Australia, dismissed the Whitlam government. This was a controversial decision that has been the subject of much debate and controversy ever since.

There are a number of different perspectives on what happened in 1975. Some people believe that Kerr acted in accordance with the constitution, while others believe that he exceeded his powers.

The Palace Letters: The Queen, the governor-general, and the plot to dismiss Gough Whitlam

by Jenny Hocking

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	530 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	288 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

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In this article, we will explore the events that led up to the dismissal of the Whitlam government. We will also discuss the different perspectives on what happened, and the long-term impact of Kerr's decision.

The lead-up to the dismissal

The Whitlam government was elected in 1972. It was a Labor government, and it embarked on a number of ambitious reforms, including the of universal healthcare and free education.

However, the government also faced a number of challenges. The economy was in recession, and there was a high level of inflation. The government also faced opposition from the conservative-dominated Senate.

In 1975, the government's economic problems came to a head. The government had proposed a budget that included a number of spending cuts. However, the Senate refused to pass the budget.

The government then attempted to pass the budget through the House of Representatives alone. However, this was ruled unconstitutional by the High Court.

The government was now in a state of crisis. It had no budget, and it could not govern effectively.

The dismissal

On November 11, 1975, Sir John Kerr dismissed the Whitlam government. He did so on the grounds that the government had failed to pass a budget and that it was therefore unable to govern effectively.

Kerr's decision was controversial. Many people believed that he had exceeded his powers and that he had acted undemocratically.

The dismissal of the Whitlam government led to a constitutional crisis in Australia. The crisis was eventually resolved, but it had a lasting impact on Australian politics.

The different perspectives

There are a number of different perspectives on what happened in 1975. Some people believe that Kerr acted in accordance with the constitution, while others believe that he exceeded his powers.

Those who believe that Kerr acted in accordance with the constitution argue that he had a duty to dismiss the government if it was unable to govern effectively. They argue that the government had failed to pass a budget and that it was therefore unable to meet its financial obligations.

Those who believe that Kerr exceeded his powers argue that he should not have dismissed the government without first giving it a chance to resolve its problems. They argue that the government could have passed a budget if it had been given more time.

The long-term impact

The dismissal of the Whitlam government had a lasting impact on Australian politics. It led to a loss of faith in the political system and it made people more cynical about the role of the Governor-General.

The dismissal also led to a number of changes to the constitution. These changes were designed to make it more difficult for the Governor-General to dismiss a government in the future.

The dismissal of the Whitlam government is a complex and controversial event. There are a number of different perspectives on what happened, and the long-term impact of Kerr's decision is still being debated today.

The dismissal of the Whitlam government was a watershed moment in Australian history. It led to a constitutional crisis and a loss of faith in the political system. The dismissal also had a lasting impact on the role of the Governor-General.

The dismissal of the Whitlam government is a complex and controversial event. There are a number of different perspectives on what happened, and the long-term impact of Kerr's decision is still being debated today.

The Palace Letters: The Queen, the governor-general, and the plot to dismiss Gough Whitlam

by Jenny Hocking

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	530 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	288 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE